Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,048 miles, a gas price of $4.195 and a diesel price of $6.387 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 66 | $275 | $323 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 95 | $400 | $470 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 116 | $488 | $575 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 131 | $550 | $647 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 150 | $628 | $739 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 131 | $837 | $984 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $353 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.
Fuel prices at each end of the move
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
Weekly retail averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for the week of October 19, 2026. Prices along the way will vary. EIA source
Planning the drive
A loaded box truck is slower than a car on hills and safest at moderate speeds, and most drivers find 450 miles a comfortable day. That makes Milwaukee, WI to Denver, CO a 3-day drive, so budget for hotel nights and meals on top of fuel. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Denver, CO to Milwaukee, WI.
More moves from Milwaukee
- Milwaukee to New York
- Milwaukee to Los Angeles
- Milwaukee to Chicago
- Milwaukee to Houston
- Milwaukee to Phoenix
- Milwaukee to Philadelphia
- Milwaukee to San Diego
- Milwaukee to Dallas
- Milwaukee to Austin
- Milwaukee to Charlotte
- Milwaukee to San Francisco
- Milwaukee to Seattle
- Milwaukee to Nashville
- Milwaukee to Atlanta
- Milwaukee to Miami
- Milwaukee to Boston
- Milwaukee to Las Vegas
- Milwaukee to Orlando
- Milwaukee to Tampa
- Milwaukee to Raleigh
- Milwaukee to San Antonio
- Milwaukee to Jacksonville
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Indianapolis
- Milwaukee to Sacramento
- Milwaukee to Oklahoma City
- Milwaukee to Portland
- Milwaukee to Louisville
- Milwaukee to Memphis
- Milwaukee to Baltimore
- Milwaukee to Washington
- Milwaukee to Albuquerque
- Milwaukee to Tucson
- Milwaukee to Kansas City
- Milwaukee to Salt Lake City
- Milwaukee to Minneapolis
- Milwaukee to Detroit
- Milwaukee to Cleveland
- Milwaukee to Pittsburgh
- Milwaukee to St. Louis
- Milwaukee to Cincinnati
- Milwaukee to New Orleans
- Milwaukee to Boise
- Milwaukee to Richmond
- Milwaukee to Birmingham
- Milwaukee to Omaha
- Milwaukee to Charleston
- Milwaukee to El Paso
More moves to Denver
- New York to Denver
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Chicago to Denver
- Houston to Denver
- Phoenix to Denver
- Philadelphia to Denver
- San Diego to Denver
- Dallas to Denver
- Austin to Denver
- Charlotte to Denver
- San Francisco to Denver
- Seattle to Denver
- Nashville to Denver
- Atlanta to Denver
- Miami to Denver
- Boston to Denver
- Las Vegas to Denver
- Orlando to Denver
- Tampa to Denver
- Raleigh to Denver
- San Antonio to Denver
- Jacksonville to Denver
- Columbus to Denver
- Indianapolis to Denver
- Sacramento to Denver
- Oklahoma City to Denver
- Portland to Denver
- Louisville to Denver
- Memphis to Denver
- Baltimore to Denver
- Washington to Denver
- Albuquerque to Denver
- Tucson to Denver
- Kansas City to Denver
- Salt Lake City to Denver
- Minneapolis to Denver
- Detroit to Denver
- Cleveland to Denver
- Pittsburgh to Denver
- St. Louis to Denver
- Cincinnati to Denver
- New Orleans to Denver
- Boise to Denver
- Richmond to Denver
- Birmingham to Denver
- Omaha to Denver
- Charleston to Denver
- El Paso to Denver